Wielkopolska has always maintained an army due to its position bordering Pomerania, Brandenburg, Silesia, and later Prussia. The ducal retinue first stayed in Poznań and then in particular grads. Armies and detachments were later stationed there on a permanent or temporary basis. Poznan’s life as a garrison town properly began in 1793 when Prussia deployed its 5th Army Corps there in response to the prevailing geopolitical situation. As the city lay on the crossroads of major highways, one of the most unassailable forces in Central Europe was built here.
Germany began deploying more and more 5th Army Corps units in Wielkopolska as the international conflict drew nearer. In the early years of the 20th century, new barracks went up in Śrem, Gniezno, Jarocin, Września and Ostrów Wielkopolski, and an aeronautical station was built in Ławica, outside Poznań.
Kalisz had the strongest garrison in that part of the region which was inside the Russian partition in 1815.
